Haktos the Unscarred MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Warrior
Power 6
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Haktos offers resilience through selective vulnerability, shaking traditional removal strategies.
  2. Despite mana cost rigidity, his aggressive presence impacts opponent resources and gameplay.
  3. Haktos requires strategic deck-building to capitalize on his protective and attacking prowess.

Text of card

Haktos the Unscarred attacks each combat if able. As Haktos enters the battlefield, choose 2, 3, or 4 at random. Haktos has protection from each mana value other than the chosen number.

"Many have sought my weakness. All have failed."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Haktos the Unscarred stands out by offering a unique form of card resilience. While he doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, his selective vulnerability means that only spells with specific mana costs can target him, keeping him safe from a broad range of removal spells and potentially leaving your opponent with fewer options.

Resource Acceleration: Although Haktos himself doesn’t accelerate your mana resources, his aggressive cost of four mana for a 6/1 creature can apply significant pressure early on, forcing your opponent to deal with him swiftly and possibly diverting resources they would otherwise use to build their own board or mana base.

Instant Speed: Haktos’s abilities don’t operate at instant speed, but his impactful battlefield presence the moment he arrives requires immediate answers. This often leads opponents to hold back instant speed removal, potentially disrupting their tempo to account for the threat that Haktos presents. It’s a dynamic that indirectly benefits your other plays, as the fear of him entering the fray at any time can shape the entire game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other cards that may offer flexibility, Haktos the Unscarred doesn’t provide a way to offset its Achilles’ Heel – a four-sided die roll that determines the specific protection value. As such, you cannot tailor his protection to the current game situation, which can lead to unfavorable matchups or vulnerability to certain spells.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Haktos the Unscarred is quite stringent, with a heavy lean on red mana. This makes him a less versatile inclusion in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana base consistency, especially in decks that aren’t heavily red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana to deploy Haktos onto the battlefield, he comes with a considerable investment. Given that he is a legendary creature, the potential for this investment to be negated by an ill-fated roll or by removal that matches his protection clause is not insignificant, possibly leading to tempo loss.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Haktos the Unscarred is a dynamic addition to any red or Boros deck. Its unique protection ability requires opponents to adapt, making it challenging to remove from the battlefield and a strong contender across various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: With his protection from almost all converted mana costs, Haktos pairs well with cards that manipulate or take advantage of protection specifications. Deck-builders can engineer situations that render Haktos nearly invincible, complementing stratagems that capitalize on powerful attacking creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where multitudes of removal spells are prevalent, Haktos shines by dodging the vast majority. With a meta that’s heavy on diverse removal, having a creature that selectively evades most of it can be a considerable asset, assuring its place on the battlefield turn after turn.


How to Beat

Haktos the Unscarred is an intriguing figure in the MTG arena, presenting a unique challenge on the battlefield. With a protection mechanic that leaves him impervious to spells of certain converted mana costs, overcoming Haktos requires strategic planning. This legendary creature demands a careful selection of removal spells or block strategies that can navigate around his random immunity to anything but a single mana cost.

One of the most effective tactics is utilizing board wipes that don’t specify a mana cost, such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation”. These spells can clear the board of even the most protected creatures. For a more pinpoint approach, spells like “Glass Casket” or “Elspeth Conquers Death” can target Haktos irrespective of his protection, as they don’t deal damage and their costs aren’t taken into account upon resolution.

In summary, contending with Haktos the Unscarred hinges on incorporating versatile solutions and recognizing the moments when his shield is the weakest—when Haktos enters the battlefield and his protection mana cost is determined, tailoring your response accordingly ensures your best chance of success.


BurnMana Recommendations

Haktos the Unscarred is a unique warrior in the MTG universe, capable of transforming your red or Boros deck into an unpredictable force. Understanding his strengths and weaknesses is crucial for optimizing your deck’s performance. However, there are layers to Haktos that require deeper insight, from playing around his Achilles’ Heel to strategically planning removals. Mastering these nuances can give you the upper hand in battles, leveraging his potential to make every match more than a mere contest; it’s a saga of skill. Keen to unlock the secrets of Haktos and refine your arsenal? Join us and cultivate your journey to becoming an adept MTG strategist.


Cards like Haktos the Unscarred

Haktos the Unscarred presents a unique challenge to opponents in Magic: The Gathering. This legendary creature is akin to creatures like Aegis of the Gods, which offers a form of protection by granting you hexproof. Haktos, however, takes this concept to a distinctive level, mandating that he may only be blocked or targeted by spells or abilities with a random converted mana cost, offering him selective invulnerability.

Another comparable card is Iroas, God of Victory, which offers a broad-scope advantage by making your creatures harder to kill in combat, much like Haktos. Although Iroas doesn’t protect against direct removal as Haktos does, he subsidizes an aggressive strategy by ensuring your attacking creatures take no damage. Then there’s Tajic, Legion’s Edge, with his ability to prevent noncombat damage to other creatures you control, slightly mirroring Haktos’s protective nature. Nonetheless, Haktos’s ability to avoid most targeted spells is a feat rarely paralleled.

These examples highlight Haktos the Unscarred’s unusual place within MTG. He integrates a specific defensive strategy that, while akin to other protective creatures, operates with an unusual mechanic that can turn the tide of battle if played astutely.

Aegis of the Gods - MTG Card versions
Iroas, God of Victory - MTG Card versions
Tajic, Legion's Edge - MTG Card versions
Aegis of the Gods - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Iroas, God of Victory - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Tajic, Legion's Edge - Guilds of Ravnica Promos (PGRN)

Cards similar to Haktos the Unscarred by color, type and mana cost

Soltari Guerrillas - MTG Card versions
Angelfire Crusader - MTG Card versions
Desolation Giant - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Charger - MTG Card versions
Brion Stoutarm - MTG Card versions
Winota, Joiner of Forces - MTG Card versions
Raiyuu, Storm's Edge - MTG Card versions
Bell Borca, Spectral Sergeant - MTG Card versions
Radiant Scrollwielder - MTG Card versions
Flame-Kin Zealot - MTG Card versions
Sunhome Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Belligerent Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Duergar Cave-Guard - MTG Card versions
Spitemare - MTG Card versions
Firemane Avenger - MTG Card versions
Spark Trooper - MTG Card versions
Ordruun Veteran - MTG Card versions
Tajic, Blade of the Legion - MTG Card versions
Highspire Mantis - MTG Card versions
Munda, Ambush Leader - MTG Card versions
Soltari Guerrillas - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Angelfire Crusader - Apocalypse (APC)
Desolation Giant - Apocalypse (APC)
Flowstone Charger - Apocalypse (APC)
Brion Stoutarm - Masters 25 (A25)
Winota, Joiner of Forces - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Raiyuu, Storm's Edge - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Bell Borca, Spectral Sergeant - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Radiant Scrollwielder - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Flame-Kin Zealot - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Sunhome Enforcer - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Belligerent Hatchling - Eventide (EVE)
Duergar Cave-Guard - Eventide (EVE)
Spitemare - Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas (DDH)
Firemane Avenger - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
Spark Trooper - GRN Guild Kit (GK1)
Ordruun Veteran - Gatecrash (GTC)
Tajic, Blade of the Legion - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Highspire Mantis - The List (PLST)
Munda, Ambush Leader - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Haktos the Unscarred MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros Beyond Death Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Haktos the Unscarred and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Haktos the Unscarred Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2020-01-24. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 799332015normalblackRyan Pancoast
22020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 218s2015normalblackRyan Pancoast
32020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 3392015normalblackRyan Pancoast
42020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 2182015normalblackRyan Pancoast
52020-01-24Theros Beyond Death PromosPTHB 218p2015normalblackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Haktos the Unscarred has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Haktos the Unscarred card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-01-24 A number is chosen randomly for Haktos before it enters the battlefield. There’s no point at which players can target it before it has gained the appropriate protection abilities.
2020-01-24 For spells with in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell’s converted mana cost. If a card or permanent in any other zone has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
2020-01-24 Haktos has protection from each possible converted mana cost other than the chosen value, not just protection from the two options that weren’t randomly chosen.
2020-01-24 If Haktos can’t attack for any reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player’s control that turn), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having it attack, you aren’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either.
2020-01-24 If Haktos somehow has no choice made for its ability, its last ability grants it no protection abilities.
2020-01-24 The converted mana cost of a token that isn’t a copy of another object is 0. A token that is a copy of another object has the same converted mana cost as that object.

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